Anton Chekhov

Writer

Born: 29 January 1860

Died: 2 July 1904 (tuberculosis)

Birthplace: Taganrog, Russia

Best known as: Author of The Cherry Orchard

Anton Chekhov wrote both plays and short stories. He is generally listed in the first rank of Russian playwrights and in the high second rank (a notch below Pushkin and Tolstoy) as a writer of prose. His most famous plays include The Seagull (1896), Uncle Vanya (1899), and The Cherry Orchard (1904). Chekhov had a famous love affair with the actress Olga Knipper; they married in 1901.

Extra credit: Chekhov's birthdate was January 29 according to the Gregorian calendar, which wasn't adopted in Russia until the 20th century. By the old-style Julian calendar, his birthdate was January 17.